I gave the Yankees-Rays game short shrift in the recaps this morning because (a) I was preoccupied with the Steinbrenner monument; and (b) it wasn’t exactly a drama-filled game.

But one guy definitely deserves more props, and that’s Curtis Granderson. He hit two homers,
walked twice, drove in five and stole a base. Granderson has four homers and 11 RBI in his last five games, and has a seven-game hitting streak.

On the season — one which many have thought to be disappointing — Granderson is at .249/.326/.464. In 2009 he hit a damn nigh identical .249/.327/.453. So, while some projected him to go crazy with that short rightfield porch in Yankee Stadium, Granderson basically is who we thought he was.

Granderson very scary showing he may be another Mr. September, just like Ryan Howard. The prospect of him hitting in both Yanker Stadium and CBP in the World Series is pretty scary. I can’t wait for Wednesday, October 27.

Before the 2010 season began, didn’t we think that Granderson was better than what he showed in 2009? I mean if he matched what seemed to be an off year despite moving to a park that is kind to home run hitters and being platooned more consistently, isn’t that a mildly disappointing year?

He’s actually not doing as bad against lefties as you’d think. You’d figure he’d be hitting like .180 or something. Last I checked he was at something like .245 versus LHP.
Him hitting against LHP is like a vacuum cleaner – it’s not a question whether you suck, it’s just the DEGREE to which you suck. And he for once hasn’t been totally useless.

He’s wRC+ing 80 against ‘em this year – that’s a good deal of suck. I mean, you live with it because he’s back to being a plus defensive outfielder (according to UZR, anyway), but it’s definitely a handicap offensively.

2009: 28% of total PA against LHP
2010: 32.6% of total PA against LHP
He hasn’t been platooned more consistently. Also, his home HR/FB% has gone up from 9% to 17%. The home runs haven’t jumped because his HR/FB% on the road has gone down and because a relative paucity of PA (gonna finish with 200 fewer than last year).

He has struggled at times this year and his numbers are not that great and it is not October yet. I was not a fan of the trade that brought him to the Bronx, but as to his performance last night I say to him Damn fine job Curtis!